THE EARLY CATTLE DAYS IN TEXAS, Page #0366

Indians, that was out
of the question, for at that time they were under the watchful care of
government agents and, as Uncle Sam was trying to tame his Indians, we quietly
passed them by.

On August 1st Bluff Creek was crossed and the herd thrown off the trail to graze
on the plains of Kansas. After a few more days of hard driving we stopped on
Turkey Creek, a few miles south of Abilene. Some of the hands bought wagons and
returned to Texas via Arkansas, where they loaded apples. Others remained with
the herd, removing it later up the Platte River to winter quarters. T. J. Moore
and I cut out our small interest in the Johnson herd and moved on, he going up
the Solomon River and I establishing winter quarters on the Smoky Hill River
above Abilene, where I wintered and suffered. Thawing out in the spring, I hit
the grit for Sunny Texas, a poorer but wiser man. In closing this sketch I wish
to bear joyous testimony to the fact that in all my associations with men of
various vocations, I have found no friends more noble, true and generous to the
limit than the cowmen of yesterday and today. Some are especially blessed with
this world's goods, dear companions and many true friends, yet without the
companionship of Jesus, the truest friend; the desolate winds of sorrow and
loneliness will sweep over your soul and for this reason, now and then, despite
all the happy experiences that may come to you through the companionship of
earthly friends, there will sometimes be indescribable longing in your soul that
earthly friends cannot satisfy. You need the companionship of Christ.

It is my joy in life to find At every turn of the road,The strong arm of comrades kindTo help me on with my load.